2003 FALL CHANNEL CATFISH STOCKING

Continuing its popular fall Channel Catfish Stocking Program, the Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish and Wildlife released fish in 35 selected waters throughout the western portion of the state October 17-29. Stocking efforts concluded with a total release of 38,520 catfish.

Each fall the Division aims to release about 38,000 channel cats, alternating each year between water bodies in the eastern half of the state and water bodies in the western half. As a result, the Division stocks 93 different water bodies throughout the stateís 21 counties on a biennial basis.

The stocked fish are raised at the Hackettstown State Fish Hatchery. The warm water (80 degrees) circulating in this state-of-the-art fish culture facility allows for them to reach their targeted goal of 7 inches in only 3Ĺ months.

Channel catfish spawn in late June and early July when water temperatures reach about 80 degrees. Hatching in just 5-7 days, they are raised intensively (indoors) in 80-degree water and can grow as much as half an inch per week. These fish need to reach the 7-inch target length and 10 fish per pound by the middle of October in order to have enough body weight to survive their first winter in the wild.

The channel catfish is a highly prized sportfish and its exceptional fighting qualities are renown. They can be caught with lures as well as live bait and are generally found in slow moving or still waters with muddy or soft bottoms. Preferring to feed at the waterís floor, they are most active after dark.

The very distinctive channel cat brandishes at least two pairs of whiskers, several spiny fins, numerous sharp teeth and a characteristic lack of external scales on the body or head. Highly developed sensory cells cover the skin providing a sense of taste that extends over the body making this species less dependent on sight and smell than most other fish.

Division fisheries biologists are aware of the success of the catfish stocking program in several of these water bodies, but there are still many waters where angler feedback is needed. In order for this program to continue, it is important for anglers to report their catches of channel catfish in all stocked waters, especially those marked with an asterisk on the following page. Please contact the Lebanon Fisheries Lab by e-mail at njfwfish@eclipse.net, by telephone at 908-236-2118, or by mail to: P.O. Box 394, Lebanon, NJ 08833. Anglers should also check the Divisionís website at www.njfishandwildlife.com over the next few weeks for a special survey where they can report their catches online.